There was a reference to Neil Armstrong on television today. My 23-year-old son Charlie said, “Remind me who Neil Armstrong is.”

I responded that Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon.

“Can you imagine that happening today?” Charlie asked.

“What happening?”

“Someone doing something that special and not seeking notoriety for it. Today, Mr. Armstrong would have appeared on Good Morning America the day after his return to earth, followed by the late night circuit, and then a Subway commercial,” Charlie replied, shaking his head.

Our conversation made me wonder which was the more amazing feat accomplished by Neil Armstrong: stepping on the moon? Or living the rest of his life while not taking commercial or social advantage of the opportunity provided him by the efforts of so many others?